I’m not alone in loving Daredevil: Born Again. The show has deftly grabbed the baton from the Netflix incarnation of the show which debuted 10 years ago in 2015.
I had some initial concerns when the series moved to Disney+, assuming that the darker themes and violent scenes would be toned down. But boy was I wrong!
Episode 1: Heaven’s Half Hour
The series starts off with a bang. We’re re-introduced to the trio of Karen, Foggy and, of course, Matt Murdock (Daredevil). It’s as if they picked up right from season three of Netflix’s Daredevil. Yes, the baddies, Kingpin and Bullseye, are here too.
The biggest shock is what Bullseye does, which causes ripple effects for the entire tone of the show and how it impacts Daredevil’s entire existence as a superhero.
If you’re reading this, you know what heinous act Bullseye committed, but I’ll keep things spoiler-free. 😉
Episode 2: Optics
The title of this episode is apropos. Villainous Kingpin is trying to re-brand himself as a viable citizen and mayor. Daredevil is trying to lean into his lawyer role and ensure that he doesn’t forget his legal defense roots, which often served the poorest, weakest and most vulnerable citizens of New York City.
The latter point leads Murdock to defend a Good Samaritan/vigilante who finds himself in a precarious situation on a subway platform with two plainclothes cops.
The interrogation and court scenes are palpable. And of course, as comic book fans, where would we be without a little, in this case, an enormous, Easter egg.
The episode title could have easily been The White Tiger, but that may have given things away. Maybe Hector Ayala would’ve been better?
Title aside, the episode is amazing. It is also sad to know that the actor who portrays the “Tiger” recently passed, adding to the artistic irony of his fate in episode three
Episode 3: The Hollow of His Hand
This is my favorite episode. Well maybe episode four has been. It’s close.
But what l love about episode three is that it felt like I was watching a high-end court drama, during the trial of Hector Ayala scenes. Stakes are high with it being a polarizing case in which an officer was killed.
Stakes are even higher with (now) Mayor Wilson Fisk watching closely, hoping that vigilante justice is vanquished in the city. It is a political agenda item that he’s squarely behind, for obvious self-serving reasons.
Although the end of the episode is somewhat predictable, it still feels tragic thanks largely to the remarkable performance by the late, great Kamar de los Reyes.
Episode 4: Sic Senper Systema
Still reeling from the tragic death of Ayala and still coming to terms with his own tragic loss in episode one, Matt Murdock is teetering. Is lawyering the best way to stop injustice or is “Daredeviling” the right way to go?
With Fisk’s nefarious presence ever-lurking, a reunion of sorts with The Punisher (whom he incorrectly presumes was connected to the White Tiger’s death), and the introduction of a new villain—Muse, Murdock appears close to donning the red suit once again.
I mean, the show is titled BORN AGAIN for a reason. I’m so looking forward to how this season ends. And I’m hopeful of a big screen extension of this universe.
I hope you’re reading this Kevin Feige!! 😁
